December 16, 2013
Mike Hughes, The Martin Agency’s longest-serving creative director and its president since 1995, passed away today in his Richmond home after a long and valiant fight against lung cancer. Hughes joined The Martin Agency in 1978 as a writer and went on to serve as creative director for three decades and president for 18 years. A lifelong non-smoker, Hughes documented his thoughts about living and dying on his blog, unfinishedthinking.com, which is followed by hundreds around the globe…. DNA/David Naylor & Associates has signed feature filmmaker Kimberly Peirce for exclusive spot and music video representation in the U.S. Known for her activist independent vision, Peirce staked her place as a writer and director of singular vision with her debut feature Boys Don’t Cry, a powerful, fact-based drama about the life and tragic death of Brandon Teena, a Nebraska transgender who was brutally raped and murdered after his double life was exposed….Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave and David O. Russell’s American Hustle lead the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominees with 13 bids each. Both films are nominated for best picture, actor, supporting actor and actress, acting ensemble, director, editing, costume design and makeup. Alfonso Cuaron’s space odyssey, Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock, follows with 10 nominations, including best picture, actress, director and visual effects….
December 19, 2008
Director Marcel Langenegger, having wrapped his feature filmmaking debut Deception, has returned to commercialmaking, joining production house GARTNER. His credits include the Cannes Gold Lion-winning “Borderline” PSA for Doctors Without Borders…Director Jim Manera, perhaps best known for Chevrolet’s “Like A Rock” campaign, has joined Cohn+Company, the NY-based shop headed by president/exec producer Jack Cohn. Manera was previously repped to Original Film and prior to that, Reactor Films. He started his career on the agency side of the business in Chicago as a copywriter at Leo Burnett, then a creative director at Tatham, Laird & Kudner, and group creative director on the Anheuser-Busch account at DDB Needham….Smoke & Mirrors NY has hired CG supervisor Michael Donovan. He earlier served in the same capacity at Spontaneous NY, and prior to that as a TD at Quiet Man, NY….Jennifer Lederman, who has been managing director of Red Car New York since 2000, has been promoted to the newly created position of national managing director for the overall company. She will be charged with coordinating Red Car’s efforts, talent and resources across a national platform spanning its editorial/post shops in New York, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, L.A. and San Francisco. Red Car also maintains an operation in Buenos Aires….
California Gov. Newsom Signs Laws To Protect Actors Against Unauthorized Use Of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off Tuesday on legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.
The new laws come as California legislators ramped up efforts this year to regulate the marquee industry that is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans but has had little to no oversight in the United States.
The laws also reflect the priorities of the Democratic governor who's walking a tightrope between protecting the public and workers against potential AI risks and nurturing the rapidly evolving homegrown industry.
"We continue to wade through uncharted territory when it comes to how AI and digital media is transforming the entertainment industry, but our North Star has always been to protect workers," Newsom said in a statement. "This legislation ensures the industry can continue thriving while strengthening protections for workers and how their likeness can or cannot be used."
Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. The law is set to take effect in 2025 and has the support of the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another law signed by Newsom, also supported by SAG-AFTRA, prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates. Supporters said the law is... Read More